Soldering-machine for commutators.



PATENTED AUG. 25, 1908. H. STONE. SOLDERING MACHINE FOR COMMUTATORS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1905.

INVENTOR ITNISSIS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY STONE, OF WILMERDING, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORTO THE \YESTINGHOISEAIR BRAKE COMPANY, OF 'PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OFPENNSYLVANIA.

SQLDERING-MACHINE ron coniru'raroas.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 25, 1908.

Application filed September 23, 1905. Serial No. 279,784.

This invention relates to means for soldering the commutator bars to theleads of armatures 'of electric motors and generators, and has for itsobject to provide a complete and inexpensive machine for this purpose bymeans of which the labor. and time consumed in this operation may begreatly lessened and the expense materially reduced.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a heating iron, preferablyhaving a notched curved face adapted to fit over the end and peripheryof the commutator for a considerble arc, and means for rotating the'onewith respect to the other, whereby the commutator bars may be thoroughlyand evenly heat ed throughout and a stick of solder applied thereto tofill the interstices and unite the leads and commutator bars as themovable part is rotated.

Another feature of my invention relates to the means for heating theiron, and comprises a heater casing with a gas burner for supporting theheating iron, and means for adjusting the casing to and from thecommutator.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a plan view of a machineembodying my invention with an armature mounted in position forsoldering, the heater casing and tool being indicated in horizontalsection; Fig. 2 an end elevation of the same; Fig. 3 a side elevation ofthe soldering tool; Fig. 4 a transverse section of the heater casing andtool, taken on the line 4'4 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 a similar transversesection, taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

According to the construction shown, the machine comprises a baseportion 6, on

which are mounted two upright su ports 7,

having bearings 8, in which the sha t 9 of an armature 10 may berotatably mounted.

The soldering tool 11 is formed of a bar of copper having a notchedcurved face 12 adapted to fit over the outer inclined face and theperiphery of the base 13 of the commutator bars 14: of the armature,whereby the same may be uickly heated to the desired degree for solering in the leads or wires 15 which project into the slits in the baseof the commutator bars.

Any desired means may be employed for heating the soldering tool, but Iprefera gas burner 16 having a casing 17 for supporting the tool andprovided with partitions 18 extending transversely of the casing to forma tortuous passage for the heat products of combustion from theburneraround the soldering tool, whereby the same may be very quickly broughtto the desired degree of temperature.

The heater casing is carried by a sliding support 19 mounted on abracket 20 of the base portion 6 and adapted to be adjusted transverselybymeans of a screw '21 and hand wheel 22.

When an armature is'to be soldered, it is mounted on its shaft inbearings 8 and the soldering tool adjusted into close proximity to thebase of the commutator bars by means of handwheel 22. The curved face ofthe soldering tool embraces a considerable arc of the commutator and bygiving intermittent partial rotations to the armature the commutator issoon heated to the desired degree. A small stick of solder is theninserted in the 'crevice between the upper portion of the soldering tooland the base of the commutator, and as the armature is rotated thesolder melts and fills the 0 en slits around the ends of the wires inthe .ase of the commutator, thereby making a permanent electricalconnection between each wire and its corresponding commutator bar. Whenthe slits are all filled the tool is moved outward and the armatureremoved for cooling, after which the commutator is turned. up in theusual way.

.During the soldering o eration all surplus melted solder falls from thetool beneath the armature, where it may be caught by any suitable deviceand afterward formed into sticks and used again. It is important thatnone of this melted .solder should drop in among the wires back of thecommutator, as this might permanently short-circuit the armatureleads-and render the same useless.

By means of my improved machine a great saving in the labor, time andexpense involved in the. soldering of armature commutators may beeffected.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. A soldering machine for commutators,comprising a so dering tool having a curved face adapted to fit thecommutator, means for rotatlng one with respect to the other, and anadjustable heater casing for said tool.

A soldering machine for commutators, comprising hearings on which thearmature may be rotatably mounted, a soldering tool having a curved faceadapted to fit, the commutator, a heater casing for the tool, and adevice for adjusting the tool to and from the commutator.

3. A soldering machine for commutators, comprising a support for thearmature, a soldering, tool having acurved face adapted to fit thecommutator, means for rotating one with respect to the other, anadjustable heater casing containing said soldering tool,

' and a gas burner for said casing.

4. A solderin machine for commutators, comprising a so ldering tool,adapted to rotatively engage the commutator and a heater casing having aing the tool.

tortuous passage surround- 5. A soldering machine for commutators,comprising a so ering tool having a curved face adapted to fit thecommutator, means for rotating one with respect to the other, a heatercasing having a tortuous passage surrounding the tool, and a gas burnerfor said casing. v

6.. A soldering machine for commutators,

comprising bearings for rotatably supporting the armature, a solderintool having a curved face adapted to fit t e commutator, a casing having"a heater and supporting the tool, and means for adjusting the casing toand from the commutator.

7. A soldering machine for commutators, comprising a soldering toolhaving a notched curved face ada ted to fit the inclined face andperiphery o the other, and a heating device for said tool.

the base of the commuta- .tor, means for rotating one with respect to yIn testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 1

' Witnesses:

E. A. WRIGHT, J. B. MACDONALD.

HARRY STONE, a

